The vote counting for by-elections held across 46 assembly seats in 13 states commenced at 8 a.m. on Saturday. These elections, seen as a significant political exercise following the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, were conducted across nine seats in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Rajasthan, six in West Bengal, five in Assam, four each in Punjab and Bihar, three in Karnataka, two each in Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, and one seat each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Meghalaya.
In Uttar Pradesh, key constituencies such as Meerapur, Kundarki, and Phulpur witnessed intense contests. Although these results won’t alter the 403-member state assembly's composition, they hold symbolic importance as a political litmus test for the ruling BJP and its rivals.
BJP's Historic Lead in Kundarki Constituency
The Kundarki assembly seat in Uttar Pradesh, with a significant Muslim voter base of 62%, has seen a remarkable shift. BJP candidate Ramveer Singh is leading by over 46,000 votes after the ninth round, marking a potential win in a seat that the party last secured in 1993. Traditionally a Samajwadi Party (SP) stronghold, this development signifies a dramatic political turnaround.
Deputy CM KP Maurya Takes Aim at Samajwadi Party
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister KP Maurya criticised the Samajwadi Party, dubbing it the "Samaptwadi Party" (party of extinction). Maurya accused the SP of indulging in deceptive politics and claimed the bypoll results reflect a decline in its influence.
Congress Gains Momentum in Karnataka and Kerala
In Karnataka, Congress leads in three bypoll constituencies, showcasing its strength in the southern state. Meanwhile, in Kerala’s Palakkad by-election, Congress candidate Rahul Mamkootathil has taken an early lead with a margin of over 700 votes.
Rajasthan: BJP Highlights 'Modi ki Guarantee'
In Rajasthan, BJP President Madan Rathore lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, attributing the party's performance in bypolls to the public’s faith in his governance.
Bihar: BJP Dominates in Four Seats
The BJP has established a commanding lead in all four bypoll constituencies in Bihar: Tarari, Ramgarh, Imamganj, and Belaganj. Union Minister Giriraj Singh expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), criticising the opposition INDIA alliance for its alleged communal tactics.
TMC Leads in Bengal, Congress Shines in MP
In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is leading in four constituencies, including Taldangra and Medinipur, reaffirming its regional dominance. In Madhya Pradesh, Congress candidates Rajkumar Patel and Mukesh Malhotra are ahead in Budhni and Vijaypur constituencies, respectively, following close contests with BJP rivals.
Uttar Pradesh: Mixed Trends in Key Seats
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Mainpuri: SP's Tej Pratap Yadav maintains a lead with a margin of over 9,000 votes.
- Ghaziabad: BJP's Sanjeev Sharma leads with 18,177 votes after the fifth round.
- Majhwan (Mirzapur): BJP’s Suchismita Maurya holds an advantage with 5,889 votes.
In Rajasthan's Ramgarh constituency, Congress candidate Aryan Khan leads by 600 votes. In Madhya Pradesh, Congress holds an early edge in both Budhni and Vijaypur constituencies as counting progresses.
Security and Arrangements
Election officials ensured a three-layer security system at all counting centres to maintain order during the process. The final results are expected later in the day, shedding light on political dynamics ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Akhilesh Yadav Calls for Unity After SP's Poor Performance
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav, reacting to his party’s disappointing performance in the Uttar Pradesh bypolls, accused rivals of distorting electoral politics. "The world witnessed the most corrupted form of electoral politics in this by-election. While there may be moments of falsehood, they cannot define an era," Yadav stated. He urged supporters to unite under the PDA slogan, "Judenge toh jeetenge" (Unite to win).
BJP Secures Key Wins in By-Elections
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, claimed victory in seven of the nine contested seats. Key wins include Phulpur, where BJP’s Deepak Patel defeated SP’s Mohammed Siddiqui by 11,305 votes, and Ghaziabad, where BJP's Sanjeev Sharma won with a massive margin of 69,351 votes. In Khair, BJP’s Surender Diler triumphed by 38,393 votes.
While the BJP dominated, SP managed to hold on to Karhal and Sisamau. SP’s Tej Pratap Singh defeated BJP’s Anujesh Pratap Singh in Karhal by 14,725 votes, while Naseem Solanki won Sisamau by 8,564 votes. However, SP’s leads in other constituencies narrowed significantly, reflecting a challenging political scenario for the party.
CM Yogi Adityanath Attributes Victory to Development Agenda
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath credited BJP's success to PM Narendra Modi’s "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" philosophy, emphasizing the double-engine government's focus on development and governance. “The people of Uttar Pradesh have shown their faith in security and progress. This victory reaffirms their trust in BJP’s leadership,” he remarked.
The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), now aligned with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), won in Meerapur, solidifying its shift from SP’s camp. BJP also retained strongholds in Phulpur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, and Khair, showcasing its dominance across Uttar Pradesh.
Dimple Yadav Stresses Need for Introspection
SP MP Dimple Yadav expressed disappointment with the bypoll results but remained optimistic. "We need to reflect on these outcomes and understand the reasons behind them," she said. Yadav also thanked voters for participating despite challenging conditions.
Parallel to UP, BJP achieved a significant victory in Maharashtra's Assembly bypolls, further boosting the party's confidence. Union Minister Giriraj Singh lauded the BJP’s success, attributing it to the rejection of divisive politics.
Election Commission Trends Highlight BJP’s Stronghold
According to the Election Commission, the BJP and its ally RLD led in six seats, with SP ahead in three. The Congress, a key member of the INDIA bloc, extended support to SP but refrained from contesting. Meanwhile, BSP, AIMIM, and Azad Samaj Party fielded candidates but failed to make a significant impact.
Current Assembly Composition
The BJP continues to dominate Uttar Pradesh with 251 MLAs, while SP holds 105 seats. BJP allies like Apna Dal (Sonelal) and RLD further consolidate the ruling coalition’s strength.
The bypoll results underline BJP's dominance in Uttar Pradesh, while SP faces mounting challenges in reviving its foothold in the state.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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